Annabeth stood studying the map that had been provided of Equestria. It was a diverse and eclectic place. They had managed to get shields up on all of the southern towns and even some to the east of Canterlot. They had stopped at the edge of the Everfree forest. They had seen some monsters run in there, and everyone was reluctant to enter. Especially Flutter Shy, who was literally shaking from the thought of it. Annabeth didn't see that they had a choice. How to approach the forest was becoming a debate. Twilight thought that they could use magic. Apple Jack wanted to just forge ahead and deal with what ever they encountered. She reminded her of Percy in that regard.
At the thought of Percy, her eyes wandered to the northern part of the map. It lingered on the on the words Crystal Empire. Twilight had pointed it out earlier on the map saying that's where her friends went find the other streak. She wanted to get through the forest and find Percy so badly.
"Staring at the map won't help us find the answers." Twilight said as she walked in.
Annabeth forced her gaze away from the map and looked at Twilight. "You don't happen to have any books that tells us more about the Everfree Forest, do you?" Annabeth asked.
"A filly after my own heart. I have tons of books about the Everfree Forest. Unfortunately, they are in my library in Ponyville."
Annabeth sighed. "Well, we can't hang around here forever. I'm afraid we'll have to face the music and follow Apple Jack's plan."
"You're probably right." Twilight agreed. "I actually didn't come in here to talk to you about that. I'm looking for Flutter Shy. Have you seen her?"
Now that she thought about it, she hadn't seen Flutter Shy since they determined they would have to go through the Everfree Forest. "No. Is everything all right?"
"I'm not sure." Twilight mused as she continued through the train cars.
Annabeth decided to help Twilight look. They had just reached the sleeping cars, when Annabeth heard a rumble. Curious she opened one of the sleeping cars doors, and to her surprise found a large brown bear sleeping in one of the bunks. Annabeth slowly backed away and motioned for Twilight.
Twilight looked in the car but didn't seem surprised. "Flutter Shy's been here." She stated matter-of-factly.
As Twilight carefully shut the door to the sleeping bear, Annabeth looked at Twilight questionly, "Exactly how does a sleeping bear equate to a trail to Flutter Shy?"
"She's extremely good with animals. She calms them, and they trust her." Twilight explained.
Annabeth pondered this as she followed Twilight further down the car. Twilight finally found Fluttershy in a sleeping car filled from floor to ceiling with all types of animals. There were squirrels, birds, mice, and many more types of animals that Annabeth couldn't even begin to name. Flutter Shy was talking softly to each one when they came in.
"Oh, please don't be mad. They were so scared once they saw those monsters." She curled protectively around the huddle of mice.
"You know how they are feeling?" Annabeth said with some disbelief.
"Flutter Shy can communicate with animals." Twilight explained. Then she turned her attention to Flutter Shy. "I don't mind Flutter Shy, but where are we supposed to sleep?"
"Oh, you're absolutely right." Flutter Shy moaned. "I suppose they will have to go back out there in the cold, where the monsters are, without any protection." Flutter Shy's pleading eyes would have rivaled a daughter of Aphrodite.
But a thought had been percolating inside Annabeth's head. "I bet these creatures know the forest really well." Annabeth mused.
"Well, of course they do. They live there." Flutter Shy agreed.
"And I bet that they, with your encouragement, would be able to locate exactly where these monsters are and guide us to them." Annabeth smirked.
"That's brilliant." Twilight exclaimed.
"Oh, I don't know. They're so scared. It sounds dangerous." Flutter Shy curled up around the creatures as if trying to protect them, at the same time it looked like she was trying to protect herself.
Annabeth lay down, so she was at the same level as Flutter Shy. "We are all scared. This is war, and war is scary. But if we ever want to be safe again, we have to face those fears and go to war. Don't you want to fight for your home?"
Flutter Shy was quiet for a moment as she pondered Annabeth's words. A determined look settled over her face. She slowly stood up. "You're right. Everfree Forest is their home. It's part of our home. And we need to fight for it." All the creatures in the room suddenly began squeaking and chittering with excitement. "So let's take it back." The war-like glare on Flutter Shy's face, almost scared Annabeth. Mostly because she had never seen such a fierce look on Flutter Shy's before. The change was startling.
"Okay." Twilight took charge. "Flutter Shy, you'll be in charge of the scouts. They just need to lead us to the monsters. We'll do the fighting."
"Flutter Shy reporting for duty. All right, troops. You are to infiltrate the forest and report back to me what you find. Now, go, go, go!" Every animal scurried past them, out of the train and into the forest. It sort of creeped out Annabeth, but at least there were no spiders.
So over the next several days Annabeth found herself tromping through the forest hunting monsters, which she couldn't help but think was rather ironic. One day, Flutter Shy got a report about a unicorn trying to fight the monsters. Annabeth and Twilight immediately responded and followed the squirrel through the forest. They were brought to three dracnea surrounding an old unicorn with a long white beard.
"Oh no, it's Star Swirl the Bearded." Twilight breathed.
"Who?" Annabeth asked curiously.
"A very old and very powerful wizard." Twilight said as way of explanation. He sounded important.
Annabeth and Twighlight looked at each other and Annabeth knew the plan was set. She was becoming as familiar fighting with Twilight as she was with Percy. Annabeth put on her hat and began to make her way to the other side.
"Leave him alone!" Twilight yelled at the dracnea.
The moment their attention was on Twilight, Annabeth snuck up behind them and began taking them out. One slithered out of the way and went to attack the old wizard. But he threw some type of magic its way, knocking it back toward Annabeth, who slashed at it just in time, causing it to explode into dust all over her.
Star Swirl looked toward Twilight. "How did you do that? I've thrown everything I know at them."
"That actually wasn't me. That was my friend, Annabeth." Twilight smiled. "Annabeth, I'd like you to meet Star Swirl, the bearded."
Annabeth removed her hat, revealing herself. She shook the dust off of herself. "Ugh, monster dust." She returned her cap and knife to her flank an then turned her attention back to Twilight and the old unicorn. "Nice to meet you."
Star Swirl's eyebrows rose beneath his hat brim and then narrowed perceptively. "The honor is mine. You said your name was Annabeth? Strange name." He mused almost to himself.
"I get that. A lot." Annabeth muttered.
"Annabeth Chase and her friend, Percy Jackson, were thrown here from another dimension." Twilight explained. "The monsters followed. But she has been very helpful in helping us fight them."
"Indeed. So I see." He stroked his beard thoughtfully. "I take it that the opening of the portal was not your doing."
Annabeth stiffened. " If you're implying that we willingly wanted to come here, be turned into horses,"
"Ponys." Apple Jack interjected.
"And fight monsters for fun, you've got another think coming." Annabeth ignored Apple Jack's correction. "We were forced here."
"I meant no offense. Just curious."
Annabethgot a weird feeling about Star Swirl. She couldn't quite place her finger, er, hoof onit.
"We've managed to free several of the cities and towns to the south and east of us. By establishing unicorns in each city to protect the city from monster attacks. They can't get past our shields."
"We noticed that too, but we weren't able to save Ponyville. We were able to set up a refuge at Zecora's hut. Remarkable Zebra. She has all sorts of potions to make monsters sneeze violently, break out into hives, and she even has something to turn the monsters into something silly." He chuckled as if remembering something funny.
"Well, I'm glad you're safe." Twilight breathed.
"What about Sweet Apple Acres? Have you heard anything about my family?" Apple Jack asked worriedly.
"Sorry, can't say I have."
"MacIntosh, Granny Smith?"
"Sorry." The wizard shook his head sadly.
Twilight put a hoof on Apple Jacks shoulder. "We'll find them." She promised.
"Why don't you come too Zecora's hut, and see what we can find." Star Swirl offered.
"Good idea." Twilight looked at Apple Jack encouragingly. "We'll just send word back to Flutter Shy where we're going." Twilight used her magic to take out a scroll and write a message. She gave it to one of the birds, who flew off toward the train with it.
They followed Star Swirl further into the woods. Annabeth kept on expecting a monster to jump out and attack them. But nothing happened. Eventually, the forest opened up into a clearing. There were several tents set up. In the middle, stood a small hut that reminded Annabeth of Africa. Their arrival caught the attention of several ponys, pegasi, and unicorns the moment they walked in. Whispers scattered throughout the clearing like hisses. A Zebra stepped out of the hut. Behind her stepped out three young colts.
"Apple Jack!" One of the colts cried out as she ran toward them.
"Apple Bloom!" Apple Jack yelled as she ran to meet her. Theyembraced tightly. "I was so worried about you."
"I was worried about you." Apple Bloom countered.
"Where's Mac and Granny?"
Apple Bloom sadly lowered her head. "They got captured."
Apple Jack hugged the colt tighter. "We'll get them back. Right Annabeth?" She looked at Annabeth.
Everyone else looked at her too. She swallowed her nervousness and said, "That's the plan."
Just then there was a yell as someone, er, somepony screamed, "Incoming!"
Everypony looked around trying to find the source of the yell. Two blue streaks fell out of the sky and crashed into a tent spectacularly.
"Monsters!" A pony yelled frightenedly.
Ponies skittered and ran around nervously at the exclamation.
"It can't be a monster. The shield prevents monsters from getting through. Only ponies can come through." Star Swirl said irritably.
Twilight walked cautiously towards the broken tent where there was some movement. "Then that means . . ." Twilight use her magic to unravel the tent to reveal two pegasi. Annabeth had thought she was getting accustomed to all the strange colors of all the ponies, but one of the pegasus had a full rainbow mane with all the colors. To add to this radical hairstyle, the pegasus was completely powder blue.
"Rainbow Dash?! What are you doing here?" Apple Jack exclaimed.
Rainbow Dash look like she had had a rough flight as both pegasi we're panting and trying to catch their breath, not to mention their feathers and manes we're all ruffled. "Hey, Twilight." The pegasus with the rainbow colored mane moaned.
The other pegasus was of an aquamarine color with an orange mane with yellow streaks in her hair. She stood up and began preening her feathers. "Is that Lightning Dust behind you?" Twilight sounded surprised to see her. Either that or she was surprised to see them together.
"Don't ask." Rainbow dash stated flatly as she got up. "It's good to see you're okay. With all this craziness we weren't sure what was going on. But I'm glad we found you. We've got trouble in Cloudsdale."
"Cloudsdale?!" Twilight looked worried.
"It seems you have much to discuss and do, perhaps you should discuss this out of view?" A zebra came out of nowhere and said in a wise voice.
"Good idea, Zecora." Twilight agreed.
"Come into my hut to discuss. And perhaps some food and rest will be a plus."
Star Swirl, Twilight, Apple Jack, Rainbow Dash, Lightning Dust, and Annabeth all followed Zecora into her hut. The centerpiece of the hut was a large cauldron which had a sweet-smelling substance boiling in it. The shelves were all lined with different bottles of different powders, herbs, and things that Annabeth had no clue what they could be. They all took a seat on the clean floor, which the pegasi seemed relieved to finally be able to do.
"Rainbow Dash, why don't you start at the beginning." Twilight suggested.
Rainbow Dash took a deep breath, "So you know how they map sent us to the Crystal Empire? Well, as I'm sure you've already guessed, it led us to a pegasus. But he wasn't always a pegasus. Evidently he was one of those creatures you turn into when you go through the mirror. He's a bit different though, as he can do magic with water."
"You found Percy?!" Annabeth felt like her heart was going to leap out of her chest. "Is he all right? Where is he now?"
"I'm guessing you're Annabeth." Rainbow Dash said nonplussed. "Anyway," Rainbow Dash ignored her and continued, "He's been helping us fight the monsters. He has a big bronze sword that he uses water to grip it and slash at the monsters. We found out that the monsters can't get through a magic shield. So we notified others through a pegasus system that the unicorns are to place shields over the towns. We were headed towards Ponyville, when we got word that Cloudsdale was in trouble and the pegasus system we had set up was failing. We found out that all the pegasi and Cloudsdale was being attacked by storm spirits."
"Anemoi." Annabeth corrected her without thinking.
"That's what Percy said. Storm spirits sounds better. Percy's defending it as best he can, but at the end of the day, we need a unicorn to place a shield around it. And right now, you're the only unicorn that can visit Cloudsdale, Twilight."
Twilight looked surprised. "I can't leave. I have to stay here and help free Ponyville, not to mention Canterlot."
"But Cloudsdale." Rainbow Dash looked wounded at Twilight's comment.
"I know. You're right. With the size of Cloudsdale you'll need at least two powerful unicorns to be able to produce a full circumference shield around it." Twilight looked troubled as she sank deep into thought.
"I can go to Cloudsdale." Star Swirl said confidently. "I happen to know a spell that will allow me to walk on the clouds. I also happen to know of another very powerful unicorn that can help me: Mist Mane."
Everyone stared at Star Swirl for moment, letting the weight of his words sink in. "That could work." Twilight smiled.
"One problem." Rainbow Dash look worried. "How are we going to get them there. Lightning Dust and I barely made it here, only because we're the best flyers out there."
Annabeth sniffed at Rainbow Dash's comment. She thought that that was rather arrogant to say.
"I saw a chariot in Ponyville. Do you think you could pull us in it?" Star Swirl asked.
"I don't know about safely." Rainbow Dash looked at the frail old man worriedly. "It can get pretty rough up there."
"Don't worry about that. I've got a few tricks up my sleeve still." Star Swirl winked at Rainbow Dash reassuringly.
Annabeth was more worried about other things. "So Percy is a pegasus? I guess that makes sense, considering who his father is."
"Who is his father?" Star Swirl asked. It was an innocent question, but he looked a little too eager for the answer.
Annabeth opened her mouth to answer, when Rainbow Dash blurted, "I almost forgot. He asked me to give you this." She pulled out a rolled up partchment and handed it to Annabeth. "I, uh, sort of had to do the actual writing part for him. But all the words were from him." Rainbow Dash looked rather embarrassed.
"Percy wrote me a letter?" Annabeth said excitedly.
"He wanted to come personally, but he's needed in Cloudsdale." Rainbow Dash explained.
Annabeth immediately fumbled with the partchment. "How do you . . . cursed hooves!" She growled in frustration.
"Here." Twilight took pity on her and using her magic, unrolled the partchment and held it up in front of her. Her heart skipped a beat when she read her name.
"Dear Annabeth,
"I'm sure Rainbow Dash has explained everything that we have been doing, but I want you to know that I'm okay. I'm a pegasus, but I'm okay. You have never left my thoughts. I have been told you're in the south with other ponys. I have been fighting to get to you. Every battle hopefully brings me closer to you. My only hope is that you are still alive, and safe in this strange world. We are headed to Ponyville then on to Canterlot. Let me know if you are okay and where you are, so I can find you.
Forever yours,
Percy"
Annabeth read through it several times before Twighlight cleared her throat forcibly. She realized that everyone was watching her. She tried to fight the blush creeping across her face as Twilight rolled up the partchment.
"Any information we should be aware of?" Twilight smiled.
"Um, no. Yes! They're headed to Ponyville." Annabeth snatched the partchment out of the air.
"After we get Cloudsdale protected." Rainbow Dash interjected pointedly.
Annabeth couldn't help but entertain the thought of flying to Cloudsdale with Star Swirl and Mist Mane to Cloudsdale, to Percy. She wanted to see Percy so badly. But she knew she couldn't leave them here defenseless. She rolled the parchment between her two hooves. She wondered what Percy was going through. She had been conscious during the little ritual Thorne had done that forced them here. But he had been unconscious. Percy had no idea.
"We'll get the chariot tonight, before it gets dark." Twilight looked at Annabeth. "You two rest up." She looked at the pegasi. Lightning Dust already looked disinterested in everything.
"Twilight, after we get the chariot, can you help me write a letter?"
Twilight smirked, "Sure."